Resources
Sideline Medicine
Physician-grade sideline reference: recognition, immediate actions, and pearls for the most critical sideline scenarios in sports medicine.
ð Recognition
Pre-event planning â venue-specific written EAP
Roles assigned: team physician, ATC, EMS liaison, scribe
AED location identified and accessible (< 3 min)
Emergency equipment inventory verified pre-season
Communication plan tested (radio, cell, hand signals)
⥠Actions
- 1Conduct site survey before each event
- 2Confirm AED is functional and pads in date
- 3Identify nearest hospital and helicopter LZ if applicable
- 4Brief all medical personnel before the event
- 5Rehearse code scenarios annually with the full team
- 6Post the EAP at every venue access point
ðĄ Pearls & Pitfalls
A written EAP that has never been rehearsed is not a plan â schedule live drills annually
Venue-specific: every field, court, pool, or weight room needs its own EAP
Coordinate with local EMS BEFORE the season â they should know the venue layout
Include scenarios for catastrophic injury, sudden cardiac arrest, heat stroke, lightning, and active threat